Jan. 27 Daily Briefing: Zoning pushback, citywide picnic, mourning a familiar face, and more ⋆ The Palm Springs Post

Welcome to Tuesday, where we invite you to journey back to 2022, when we first told you the fate of the 28-foot-tall spider sculpture outside the former Hole in the Wall welding shop near Interstate 10. Long story short: The property owner said the sculpture would be spared when any structures behind it were torn down to make way for a possible travel center, warehouse, and other new development. Flash forward to this week, and both a local TV station and the newspaper reported that the time to tear down the buildings has apparently come, as the city has declared them in danger of collapse and ordered them torn down. As for the project that will replace them, there’s been no movement, yet.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Your Cover’s Blown” by Belle and Sebastian

LEADING OFF

*Colin Scarff, a consultant hired by the city, discusses the need for taller buildings at a community meeting Monday evening.*

Residents push back on proposed five-story zoning near neighborhoods

Roughly 60 residents packed a room during a Monday evening meeting at the Palm Springs Convention Center to challenge proposed zoning changes that could allow five-story buildings along commercial corridors adjacent to single-family homes. Homeowners expressed concerns about property values and building heights, sometimes in heated exchanges with city officials.

At issue: The city is updating its zoning code for the first time since 1988 to address what officials described as a workforce housing crisis, with the latest draft maps drawing sharp criticism from residents worried about developments encroaching on residential areas.

Housing costs in Palm Springs have risen 83% in five years while wages increased only 30%, and 84% of people who work in the city cannot afford to live here, according to data presented by city officials at the meeting.

By the numbers: The city must plan for 1,700 additional housing units by the end of 2029 to meet state requirements, having completed only 848 of the required 2,600 units so far.

Why it matters: Although Palm Springs is the largest city by land mass in the Coachella Valley, three-quarters of its land cannot be developed due to steep hillsides, sensitive desert areas or being under tribal control.

The backdrop: Confusion over state housing law requirements dominated much of the discussion, with Director of Planning Services Chris Hadwin explaining that earlier versions of zoning maps showed five-story buildings at certain locations based on guidance that state law already allows such heights within half a mile of high-frequency transit stops.

“We’re now hearing that’s not necessarily the case, and so we’re still working through that with the state and with the city attorney’s office,” Hadwin said.

What’s next: The next public meeting is scheduled for Feb. 4 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. via Zoom. More details, including the latest draft maps, are available here.

Dive deeper with our complete story

BRIEFLY

*Canine contestants and dozens of booths were among the highlights at last year’s ONE-PS picnic. (File photo)*

🎪 ONE-PS plans 17th annual picnic and expo

Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs (ONE-PS) is making plans for its 17th annual Picnic & Community Expo on Saturday, March 21, at Ruth Hardy Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event expects more than 1,100 residents and is open to all 52 recognized Palm Springs neighborhoods.
Sponsorship opportunities for local businesses and organizations range from $50 to $1,000, with benefits including booth space, lunch tickets and logo placement on the ONE-PS website and Facebook page. A neighborhood booth contest will award prizes of $100, $75 and $50 for top displays.
Details: The registration deadline is Friday, March 6. Interested sponsors can contact event chair Joy Brown Meredith at joy@crystalfantasy.com for registration forms and information. Get a jump on the form by downloading it here.

TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Desert Healthcare District Board Meeting
4 p.m. | Regional Access Project Foundation
The board meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month. On the agenda for January is the discussion of sponsoring various valley-wide events.

Youth & Adult Boxing
4 p.m. | Demuth Community Center
If you are looking to get into boxing, there is no better time than now. Get your weekday workout for free at the Demuth Community Center all week long.

Dual Immersion Parent Info Night
5 p.m. | Vista Del Monte Elementary School
Palm Springs Unified School District is holding a parent info to talk more about their dual language educational programs, built for those who want their children to learn in Spanish and English. It comes as enrollment opens for the district’s 2026-27 school year.

Paranormal Investigations
6 p.m. | Mizell Center
A clear, grounded look at paranormal activity. Real cases, investigative tools, and intuitive insight with Kevin Paul, Psychic Medium. ($20)

PSUSD Board of Education
6 p.m. | PSUSD Headquarters
The Board of Education is meeting tonight. Check out the agenda here.

The Black Dahlia Screening + Q&A
7 p.m. | The Plaza Theatre
Author William J. Mann joins us for the launch of his book “Black Dahlia: Murder, Monsters, and Madness in Midcentury Hollywood,” followed by a screening of “Who Is the Black Dahlia?” and an exclusive Q&A with Lucie Arnaz. ($25)

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

Third Annual Palm Springs Readers’ Festival on Friday and Saturday
Friends of the Palm Springs Library Book Sale on Saturday at Our Saviors Lutheran Church
NUANCE Modernism Art Exhibit on Feb. 6 at Janssen Art Space
Palm Springs Police Department open house on Feb. 8
Palm Springs Speaks with Cheech Marin on Feb. 10
Modernism Week from Feb. 12 through 22 throughout the city
Palm Springs Modernism Show on Feb. 14 and 15 at the convention center
Palm Springs International Jazz Festival from Feb. 19-22

Submit your event here

AND FINALLY …

Palm Springs residents are mourning Ricardo Marano, a beloved community figure known to many as “The Walking Man,” who was killed in a hit-and-run crash Jan. 18 near the 1000 block of East Vista Chino around 3:30 a.m. A community vigil is planned for Sunday.

Looking back: The 56-year-old Marano was a familiar sight throughout Palm Springs — a tall, thin, tanned man frequently seen walking the city at all hours and in all weather, earning him affectionate nicknames from locals including “Tan Jesus” and “Walking Jesus.”

The investigation: Police served a search warrant Jan. 20 in Thousand Palms and recovered a black 2005 Chevrolet Silverado believed to be involved in the incident, but no arrests have been made.

Investigators are working to identify the driver.

Why it matters: Gina Garcia, a close friend who shared meals, conversations and walks with Marano, said “he was a true blessing in all his many ways” and noted that despite some assumptions, he was not homeless or in need — he simply loved walking his community.

“It won’t be the same not seeing him walking all over town,” Garcia wrote.

What’s next: The vigil will be held Sunday, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m., with participants gathering between 351 and 353 North Hermosa Street to walk to Ruth Hardy Park, where they can share stories, light candles and lay flowers.